1996
Noah’s Barks pages relating to the year 1996.
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Jingle All the Way
Ho ho holy shit, why are people so bad at critiquing ‘Jingle All the Way?’ Let me show you how a one-horse open slay is done. (read more)
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Mars Attacks!
Some claim this critical and commercial flop by Tim Burton deserves reevaluation, but the truth about ‘Mars Attacks!’ is out there… (read more)
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Killing Joke – “Democracy”
‘Democracy’ isn’t as good as the two Killing Joke albums it’s between. However, it’s high-quality and consistent enough to be worthwhile. (read more)
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Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
This "movie" is a localized splice of two episodes of the Japanese ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ OVA. Despite that odd background, this is an essential OVA that perfectly captures the essence of its titular character and era. (read more)
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Bizarre Canned Food
This Junji Ito compilation features stories I’ve already read. Instead of a standard review, this entry is just to catalog my having read it. (read more)
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Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills
‘Paradise Lost’ documents three teenagers persecuted by conservatives’ last bastion against ’90s counterculture in the noose of the Bible Belt. (read more)
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Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible is so bloody solid! But so damn impersonal, which is my typical response to older action films. I love Brian De Palma‘s excessive bombast, but it’s not excessive here. The scale of each scene is appropriate though obviously the plot is dramatically contrived. Tom Cruise’s lack of characterization is a blessing since he… (read more)
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Scream
Wes Craven’s 1996 seminal satirical slasher stunningly surpasses swathes of shallow, shlocky ‘Scream’ siblings. (read more)
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Bavel’s Book
An animated short film whose unique papercraft style makes it an easy recommendation. (read more)
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The Vision of Escaflowne
The Vision of Escaflowne is a sword-and-sorcery mecha anime with a consummately constructed story, but the real fantasy was Sunrise actually getting to produce all of its planned episodes. (read more)